Airship.



J. NEFF, SR.

Patented Mar. 25,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. NEFF, SII.

AIBSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 8.1918.

Patented Mar. 25,1919.A

2 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

I n ven for Ey Lrneyw JOHN;NEFF, SR., F WEST HOBOKEN, NEWJERSEY.

.AIRSHIR 'Specificationy of Lettersfatent.

Patented Ma1u25, l1919.

Application iledJ'une 8. 1918. Serial No."238828.

' To all whomz't 'may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN NEFF, Sr., a citizen of the "United States, and aresident of West Hoboken,y in the county of Hudson and State rvof 4New Jersey, haveinvented certain newand useful Improvements in Airships, of which Athe following is a specification. f

This 'invention 'relates to an airs'hp Lof novel construction, inwhich the k.ascent and descent is effected yby means 'of a plurality of peaked wings, -havin'gopen bottoms, land adaptedto be vertically reciprocated alternately in opposite directions. Vithin'each wing, are pivoted a number of transverse blades that may be tilted either backward or forward, so as to deflect the air and reduce pressure. With the wings coperate propellers, that serve to move the ship through space.

The invention comprises the various fea-V tures of novelty more fully pointed out in the specification and appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of an airship embodying my'invention;

Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of the wings;

Fig. 3, a diagram illustrating the stroke of the wings, and

Fig. 4, a vertical central wing.

The airship is furnished with a number of vertically movable wings, which are hollow and of peaked form in cross section, three of said wings being shown. The sides of .each wing diverge from the top downward, its ends are closed, while its bottom is open, to form in substance an inverted angular trough. The length of the central wing l, should be about twice that of each of the end wings 2, so that the lifting power of the central wing, is equal to the joint lifting power of the two end wings. At its outer end, each of the end wings 2 runs out into a sharp edge or prow 3.

Means are provided for vertically reciprocating wing 1, and conjointly the two wings 2, alternately in opposite directions. These means are shown to consist of lifters 4, depending from wing 1 and lifters 5 depending from wings 2. Lifters 4 are by bell cranks 6 connected to an axially slidable rd 7, while l-ifters 5 are connected to said rod by bell cranks 8, that are disposed in a direction opposite to that of bell cranks 6. y

cross section through the Rod 7 receives reciprocative movement from amo-tor 9`which isadapte'd'to-reciprocate a piston (not shown) within -a cylinder '10, said piston inturnoperating rod 7. vIt will be seen that'by themeans described, the desired alternate upandidownmovement may be imparted Vto Ylifters 4 and 5 and iconsequently to the wings `:l and 2. In orderlto steady` the latter during such'movement, each pair of adjoining wings is connected -at its corners by adepending yoke or member 11 to a two arm lever l2'fulorumed at 13.said yoke engaging suitable bearings 14 ofthe airship frame 15. Between and endwise of wings "l and 2, are mounted propellerlblades 16, fast on a horizontal shaft 17 Vextending over the wings and turning in bearings 18 of frame l5. The propeller shaft is shown to 'be operable from motor 9 by a shaft 19 controlled by clutch 20, and by chain drive 21.

Within each wing 1 and 2, there are arranged, a plurality of upright blades 22, which are pivoted thereto at 23, and have a cross section corresponding to that of the wings. The blades within each wing may' be tilted conjointly either backward or forward, to which effect they are connected at their lower ends to a longitudinally disposed rod 24, which by link 25, is connected to a lever 26 pivoted at 27 and arranged within reach of the aviator seated within car 28. The airship is furnished with the usual rudders 29.

In order to effect an ascent, blades 22 are set in a vertical position and rapid reciprocating motion is imparted to the wings. During this motion, the peaked tops of the wings will during their upward movement, cut the air freely, while during the down- "ward movement, the air entrapped within the wings will form a cushion, on which the machine is lifted. For advancing, the propellers 16 are actuated and the blades are set at a backward tilt, while for backing the blades are set at a forward tilt. For descending, the motion of the wings is re-` weightol the .frame as well asthe hollow construction of the wings steady the machine and prevent it from capsizing, while in case of accident, the wings will operate in the manner of a parachute.

I claim:

l. In an airship, a peaked hollow central wing, a pair of peaked hollow end wings, the length of the central wing being equal substantially to the combined lengths of the two end wings, ymeans for reciprocating the central wing,` and ymeans for. conjointly reciprocating the end wings in a direction oppo site to that of the central wing. l p

2. In an airship, a.^V plurality of hollow wings, vmeans for reciprocating said wings in opposite directions, Va plurality of trans"- verse blades pivoted within each wing, and means for tilting said blades. l

8. In an airship, a pluralityy of hollow wings, means for reciprocating said wings in oppositer directions, a .plurality of transverse blades pivoted within each wing, a rod connecting said blades, and means for operating said rod.

ll. In an airship, a plurality of hollow wings, members depending from the wings, two-arm levers engaged by the members of adjoining wings7 means for guiding said members, litters likewise depending from the wings, and means connected with said Copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, Il. C. 

